Factoring Quadratic Trinomials
FACTORING QUADRATIC TRINOMIALS
One of the most important lessons in Algebra is factoring quadratic trinomials. In this hub I present some exercises with their solutions and techniques.
Exercise Number One : FactorX2 + 10X + 16
The factor of a quadratic trinomial are two binomials such that the first term of every binomial are the factorsof X2 and the second term of every binomial are the factors of 16.
Our factors are :(X + 8) (X + 2)
Before accepting this as a factor you have to test : Product of the outer terms plus the product of the inner terms must be equal to the middle term of the trinomial you are factoring.
Let us see:2X +8X= 10X
10X is the middle term of the trinomial therefore our factors are correct.
Exercise Number Two : FactorX2 + 3X – 28
We notice that the sign of the third term of the trinomial we are factoring is negative therefore the factors must be a positive and a negative number for opposite sign gives a negative product. We also notice that the sign of the middle term is positive therefore the product with a bigger absolute value must be positive.
Our factors are : (X + 7 ) (X – 4)
Outer product : -4X
Inner product also the product with a bigger absolute value: 7X
Let us see : 7X + -4X=3X
3X is the middle term of the trinomial therefore our factors are correct.
Exercise Number Three : Factor3X2 – 10XY – 8Y2
We notice that the sign of the middle term is negative therefore the product with a bigger absolute value must be negative.
Our factors :(3X + 2Y ) (X – 4Y)
Outer product also the product with a bigger absolute value : -12XY
Inner product : 2XY
-12XY + 2XY = -10XY
-10XY is the middle term of the trinomial therefore our factors are correct.
Exercise Number Four : Factor 4X2 -19X + 12
We notice that the sign of the third term of the trinomial we are factoring is positive while the sign of the middle term is negative. In this case the sign of both factors of the third term must be both negative to follow the rule that same sign gives positive product. They are both negative because the sign of the middle term is negative.
Our factor : (4X – 3) ( X – 4)
Outer product : (4X)(-4)= -16X
Inner product: ( X)(-3)= -3X
-16X + -3X= -19X
-19X is the middleterm of the trinomial we are factoring therefore our factors are correct.